Trees & Codes

Our tree protection requirements vary based on the size, species, and location of the tree and the current condition of the property where the tree is located. Certain trees are protected and may not be removed unless specific requirements are met. 

In order to determine the tree protection requirements for a specific tree or property, you need to have the following information: 

• What is the size of the tree? 
• Is the tree “exceptional”? 
• Is the tree hazardous? 
• Is the tree on undeveloped land, developed property, or developing property? 
• Is the property within an environmentally critical area? 
• Is the property within the Shoreline District? 
• What is considered major pruning?

The information below can help you answer these questions and generally explains when and where the Tree Protection Code applies.  

Tree size. Tree size is stated as either DBH (diameter at breast height) or DSH (diameter at standard height), both of which are measured at 4.5 feet above ground. Director’s Rule 16-2008, Designation for Exceptional Trees provides guidance on how to measure the tree diameter 

Exceptional trees. Exceptional trees are trees that are large for their species and therefore have particular historical, ecological, or aesthetic value. SDCI Director’s Rule 16-2008, Designation for Exceptional Trees explains how we evaluate a tree for exceptional status based on size. Any tree over 30 inches in diameter, measured approximately 4.5 feet from the ground, is almost certainly exceptional. However, some species are exceptional at only 6, 12, 18, or 24 inches in diameter. We recommend that you consult a professional to determine if your tree is exceptional.  

Exceptional trees are protected by code and in most cases may not be removed. If you unlawfully remove an exceptional tree, the penalties can be expensive. If you are planning a construction project and your site contains large trees, please contact SDCI early to understand the protection requirements or opportunities for removal if certain conditions exist on your lot. 

Hazardous Trees. With prior SDCI approval, the Tree Protection Code 25.11 may allow for removal of hazardous trees, including hazardous exceptional trees. In most cases, we will only approve removing “high-risk” hazard trees. To determine if a tree or trees are a high-risk hazard, you must get an arborist report and an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) basic tree risk assessment form (provided by the ISA) in addition to items outlined in the online hazard tree application.

• The documents submitted for review by SDCI must be prepared by a registered tree service provider with an ISA Tree Risk Assessment qualification (TRAQ) credential.

For more information on applying for a hazard tree removal, read How to Apply for SDCI Approval for Hazard Tree Removal and Vegetation Restoration. Tip 242B, Hazard Tree Removal on Private Property, provides guidance for removal of a hazard tree on private property that is not located in a mapped ECA and Tip 331B, Hazard Trees, provides guidance for removal of a hazard tree on private property that is in a mapped Environmentally Critical Area (ECA). 

Undeveloped land. Undeveloped land is a parcel or lot that has no structures or no legally established land use.  

• You cannot remove any tree (exceptional or non-exceptional) 6 inches Diameter at Standard Height (DSH) or greater in diameter, unless the tree is designated as a high-risk hazard. SDCI must approve a hazard tree removal application before trees can be removed.

Developed property. Developed property is a parcel or lot that has legally permitted structures or uses. 

• You cannot remove any exceptional trees unless they are determined to be a high-risk hazard. SDCI must approve a hazard tree removal application before trees can be removed.
• You cannot remove more than 3 non-exceptional trees 6 inches Diameter at Standard Height (DSH) or greater in diameter in any one-year period unless the tree is designated a high-risk hazard. 

Developing property. If you are developing your property, it’s best to consider trees early in the design process. To protect trees during construction, the Tree Protection Code SMC 25.11 and Director’s Rule 16-2008 Designation for Exceptional Trees outlines which trees are to be protected and establish requirements for departures, modifications, tree protection, and tree replacement on properties zoned Neighborhood Residential, Lowrise, Midrise, or Commercial.

You may remove trees if retaining them prevents you from achieving the allowed lot coverage or floor area of the site's land use zone. For exceptional trees and as an option for trees 24 inches DSH or greater, you must show that it's not possible to retain the trees by using various "departures" and “modifications” from the zone's land use code development standards (see SMC 25.11.060, 25.11.070, and 25.11.080). We will review your tree and vegetation plans as part of your permit application. Our Tip 242A, Tree Requirements Associated with Development provides guidance for tree requirements associated with development. 

Environmentally critical areas. If your property is on an environmentally critical area (ECA), the tree removal regulations are more restrictive. ECAs include: 

• Landslide-prone critical areas (ECA2)
• Steep slope erosion hazard areas and their buffers (ECA1)
• Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas (ECA9)
• Riparian corridors (ECA3)
• Wetlands and their buffers (ECA4)

You can find out whether or not your property contains an environmentally critical area on our GIS map.  

You cannot remove any trees or otherwise modify vegetation from environmentally critical areas without an approved stand-alone ECA tree and vegetation plan or an ECA tree and vegetation plan approved with an issued building permit. 

An ECA tree and vegetation plan is commonly called a revegetation or restoration plan. You can find information about applying for a stand-alone ECA tree and vegetation plan by reading How to Apply for SDCI Approval for Hazard Tree Removal and Vegetation Restoration. Tip 331,Environmentally Critical Areas - Tree and Vegetation Overview, and Tip 331A, Environmentally Critical Areas - Vegetation Restoration, provide useful information related to trees and vegetation in ECAs. 

Shoreline District. Tree removal in the Shoreline District must comply with the Tree Protection Code. In addition, in most cases you cannot remove any trees or vegetation from the Shoreline District without an issued Shoreline Exemption or issued building permit. The regulations on Shoreline District vegetation are found in SMC 23.60A.190. The Shoreline District is generally the land within 200 feet of a shoreline. You can find out whether your property is within the Shoreline District on our GIS map. 

Zoning Standards and Trees. Depending on your project and its zoning, you may be required to comply with tree requirements in the zoning code. These requirements may include preserving or planting trees to comply with Green Factor, or incentives to protect trees during your construction project such as decreased yards and setbacks. 

Major Pruning. Major pruning is removing any branch or root 2 inches in diameter or greater, or the removal of more than 15% of the tree canopy. If you hire someone to complete major pruning on your property, they must be a registered tree service provider (see our Tree Service Provider Registry section below). Major pruning completed by the registered provider also requires posting a public notice three (3) business days prior to work. You do not need to be registered to complete other routine pruning and maintenance of trees. Property owners completing routine pruning and tree maintenance on their own their property are not required to register or post a notice. You cannot remove more than 3 non-exceptional trees 6 inches Diameter at Standard Height (DSH) or greater in diameter in any one-year period unless the tree is designated a high-risk hazard.

Tree Service Provider Registry

The Tree Service Provider Registry is an online database of registered tree service providers that meet the City’s criteria to conduct commercial tree work in Seattle and are committed to understanding and following Seattle’s tree regulations. To see the list of approved Tree Service Providers, please visit the SDCI Tree Service Provider Directory.

As of November 10, 2022, all tree service providers doing the following type of work in Seattle must be registered with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI):

• Removal of any tree over 6 inches in diameter.
• Major pruning for any tree on private property. Major pruning is removing any branch or root 2 inches in diameter or greater, or the removal of more than 15% of the tree canopy. You do not need to be registered to complete other routine pruning and maintenance on trees.
• Consulting services for trees including conducting tree assessments for an arborist report.

Property owners must use registered tree service providers and post a notice three days before the tree work is done. Tree service providers who are not registered with SDCI cannot do work in Seattle and may face penalties if they conduct work in Seattle without an approved registration. The tree service registry became available on August 26, 2022.

Register Your Business

Tree Service Providers can register for SDCI’s Tree Service Provider Registry on the Seattle Services Portal Tree webpage. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete the Registry application. If you have questions regarding the registration process, please consult the step-by-step instructions on How To Apply for the Tree Service Provider Registry. For further assistance, you may call the Tree Service Provider Registry phone line at (206) 233-5185, email us at sdci-trees@seattle.gov or contact us through our Submit a Request form. To help route your request, indicate that you need help with “Permits, codes, zones, plans,” then select “Land Use” as the type of help you need, and then select “Trees” in the description field. Please note that you must maintain your registration requirements in good standing for the duration of your registry term.

What You’ll Need

• An active Seattle Services Portal account.
• A current and valid City of Seattle business license. You will be asked to upload a copy of your business license.
• A current and valid Washington State contractor registration under chapter 18.27 RCW (not required for businesses registering as consulting services only).
• A current certificate of insurance (COI) with coverage of at least $1,000,000 Commercial General Liability Insurance and endorsement naming the City of Seattle as an additional insured on a primary and non-contributory basis for government permitting. The address listed on the COI should be as follows:

  
  City of Seattle
  P.O. Box. 94669
  Seattle, WA 98124-4669

  You will be asked to upload a copy of the certificate and the endorsement.
  
  
• At least one employee or a person on retainer who is a currently credentialed International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist trained to conduct work according to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A-300 or its successor standard. You will be asked to upload a copy of the ISA Certification Card for each credentialed holder listed on your registry form. The card must include the credential holder’s name, certification number, and expiration date.
• An understanding of City codes applicable to commercial tree work.

Know the Code

All Tree Service Providers must follow the tree code (SMC 25.11). Tree Service Providers who do not follow the tree code may be removed from the Tree Service Provider Registry for one year. Both the property owners and the tree service providers may face financial penalties for tree code violations. Contact SDCI arborists early in the design process for assistance in balancing tree protection and development.  

The new Director’s Rule 8-2022, Administration of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Tree Service Provider Registry, went into effect on October 25, 2022.

Please also consult Tip 242C, SDCI Tree Service Provider Registry for more information.

Important note: the SDCI tree service provider registry covers work on private property and is different from the SDOT tree service provider registry that regulates work that occurs in the public right-of-way. You must register on each one separately; links to each may be found on the Seattle Services Portal Tree webpage.

Tree Service Provider & Public Notice Webinar Recording (November 2022)

Watch the recording of the SDCI webinar presented to tree service providers and property owners about Seattle’s tree code (SMC 25.11), the new SDCI public posting requirements, and SDCI’s new Tree Service Provider Registry. The webinar explains when trees may be removed and when they are required to stay. You'll also find information about how to sign up for the Tree Service Provider Registry.

Tree Service Provider Registry Summary Flyer (August 2022)

• New Tree Service Provider Registry Now Available
• Ya está disponible el nuevo registro de proveedores de servicios de arboricultura
• 新的樹木服務供應商的註冊名錄現已可用
• Danh Sách Mới Của Nhà Cung Cấp Dịch Vụ Chăm Sóc Bảo Dưỡng Cây Xanh Được Chấp Thuận Nay Đã Có Sẵn
  

Tree Service Provider Requirements Summary Flyer (July 2022)

• New Tree Service Provider Requirements Coming Soon!
• ¡Próximamente nuevos requisitos para los proveedores de servicio de árboles!
• 新的樹木服務供應商條件即將實施！
• Sắp Có Yêu Cầu Mới Cho Các Nhà Cung Cấp Dịch Vụ Cây Xanh!
• Shuruudaha cusub ee Bixiyaha Adeegga Geedka oo dhawaan imanaya!
• አዲስ የዛፍ አገልግሎት አቅራቢ መስፈርቶች በቅርቡ ይመጣሉ!
• 새로운 나무 서비스 제공 업체 요구 사항이 곧 발표될 예정입니다!
• Mga Bagong Kinakailangan ng Tagapagbigay ng Serbisyo Pangpuno Paparating Na!

As of November 10, 2022, property owners must post a public notice of major pruning or removal of trees six inches DSH or greater by a commercial tree service provider on their property at least three days before a tree service provider starts the work, whether or not a permit is required.

This notice is not required for trees removed as part of a tree and vegetation plan required inside of environmentally critical areas or for trees removed by the owner of a property. Removal of hazardous trees also does not require posted notice. SDCI authorization may be needed prior to work on those trees; see Tree Protection on Private Property.

Follow guidance in Tip 242D, Tree Public Notice for more information on tree public noticing.

We will provide more clarification on what is required to meet the notice requirements and a tool to help you create the public notice in early November, 2022. 

Create Your Public Notice
When you hire a Tree Service Provider, you are required to post a public notice three days before they conduct the work. You can create the public notice through the Seattle Services Portal Trees webpage. This form takes approximately 5 minutes and walks you through the steps required to create the SDCI Tree Public Notice.

Once you’ve submitted your information, you will receive an email containing a link to the public notice; the hiring entity is responsible for printing and posting the public notice at least 3 days prior to the start of work.

If you have questions regarding completing the notice form, please follow the step-by-step instructions in our Tree Public Notice help article. For further assistance, you may email us at sdci-trees@seattle.gov or contact us through our Submit a Request form. To help route your request, indicate that you need help with “Permits, codes, zones, plans,” then select “Land Use” as the type of help you need, and then select “Trees” in the description field.  

What You’ll Need

• An active Seattle Services Portal account.
• Work must be performed by a SDCI registered tree service provider. You will need to provide the full registration number (LIC-TSP-#####), which is available on the SDCI registered Tree Service Provider Directory.
• A permit may be required for tree work associated with a project, such as a construction or demolition project. If tree work is part of your proposal, you will need to provide the permit number.
• Tree-specific information, including species, type of work to be performed, trunk size at diameter standard height (DSH), location, and if the tree is designated as an exceptional tree.

Know the Code 

All Tree Service Providers must follow the tree code (SMC 25.11). Tree Service Providers who do not follow the tree code may be removed from the Tree Service Provider Registry for one year. Both the property owners and the tree service providers may face financial penalties for tree code violations. Contact SDCI arborists early in the design process for assistance in balancing tree protection and development.   

 Please consult SDCI Tip 242D, Tree Public Notice for more information. 

We encourage all applicants, property owners, contractors, architects, developers, and arborists to reach out to us with any tree questions as early as possible when planning a project. We are here to answer questions early in the design process to determine which trees are protected by code and how to accommodate them. We can also answer questions about trees outside of the development process. Our on-staff certified arborists can answer questions about tree protection requirements, be a resource for tree-related information, and improve customer experience when trees are involved in any permit process.

Contact Us

The best way to contact our staff is via email at sdci-trees@seattle.gov or through SDCI’s Submit a Request form. To help route your request, indicate that you need help with “Permits, codes, zones, plans,” then select “Land Use” as the type of help you need, and then select “Trees” in the description field. If necessary, we can set up a virtual meeting to discuss potential or actual projects.

Meet Our Arborists! 

Paul Humphries has worked for the City of Seattle for 20 years and joined SDCI in September 2020. He is an ISA certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessor, who is passionate about maintaining urban canopy and applying code to protect our beautiful city’s trees. Paul’s favorite tree is the Antarctic Beech. When he’s not at work, he can be found in the mountains hiking with his wife and their Great Dane or working in his garden.

Deborah McGarry started her career in urban forestry in New York in 2000 and never looked back. She has been with the City of Seattle for 15 years, working on street trees, park trees, and, for the past 3 years, private property trees with SDCI. She fervently believes that we need trees to keep our city livable and that dense cities and healthy trees are compatible. When not working, she loves adventures with her husband, 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son, exploring nature, gardening, and reading.